The Denny regrade in Seattle

November 2, 2011 11:29 AM

Homeowners who didn't go along with the Denny regrade project had the hill dug out around them.

Homeowners who didn't go along with the Denny regrade project had the hill dug out around them.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

Homeowners who didn't go along with the Denny regrade project... Photo-1719577.31845 - seattlepi.com

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Water jets slice away part of old Denny Hill at the foot of Blanchard Street in 1908. Until it was flattened by city engineers, Denny Hill was a steep and inconvenient bump just north of downtown Seattle. When a homeowner wouldn't sell their property to the city, developers dug out the hill around them. less

Water jets slice away part of old Denny Hill at the foot of Blanchard Street in 1908. Until it was flattened by city engineers, Denny Hill was a steep and inconvenient bump just north of downtown Seattle. When ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com File/1908

Water jets slice away part of old Denny Hill at the foot of... Photo-1719570.31845 - seattlepi.com

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A view of Denny Hill in 1928.

A view of Denny Hill in 1928.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

A view of Denny Hill in 1928. Photo-1719670.31845 - seattlepi.com

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The same view in 1936.

The same view in 1936.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

The same view in 1936. Photo-1719668.31845 - seattlepi.com

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The same view from 1964.

The same view from 1964.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

The same view from 1964. Photo-1719669.31845 - seattlepi.com

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The northwest corner of Thomas Street and Taylor Avenue North, May 16, 1931.

The northwest corner of Thomas Street and Taylor Avenue North, May 16, 1931.

A slide on the west side of Denny Hill at 5th and Battery, June 19, 1911.

A slide on the west side of Denny Hill at 5th and Battery, June 19, 1911.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

A slide on the west side of Denny Hill at 5th and Battery, June 19,... Photo-1719581.31845 - seattlepi.com

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An undated photo of the Denny regrade.

An undated photo of the Denny regrade.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An undated photo of the Denny regrade. Photo-1719578.31845 - seattlepi.com

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The Seattle Post-Intelligencer referred to the Denny regrade as "one of the great engineering projects of the West." Steam shovels and water sluices ate away at the hillside and conveyor belts carried the dirt to Elliott Bay. less

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer referred to the Denny regrade as "one of the great engineering projects of the West." Steam shovels and water sluices ate away at the hillside and conveyor belts carried the dirt ... more

The Denny regrade area from Third Avenue and Virginia Street, March 23, 1915.

The Denny regrade area from Third Avenue and Virginia Street, March 23, 1915.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

The Denny regrade area from Third Avenue and Virginia Street, March... Photo-1719574.31845 - seattlepi.com

Image 28 of 34

The Denny regrade area from Fourth and Virginia, March 23, 1915.

The Denny regrade area from Fourth and Virginia, March 23, 1915.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

The Denny regrade area from Fourth and Virginia, March 23, 1915. Photo-1719575.31845 - seattlepi.com

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An overhead wooden gallery was built along Battery Street to support a conveyor belt carrying dirt from the regrade project toward Elliott Bay. The gallery was torn down after the project's completion.

An overhead wooden gallery was built along Battery Street to support a conveyor belt carrying dirt from the regrade project toward Elliott Bay. The gallery was torn down after the project's completion.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File

An overhead wooden gallery was built along Battery Street to... Photo-1719573.31845 - seattlepi.com

Image 30 of 34

A smaller Denny Hill looking west from the New Brunswick Hotel, May 7, 1928.

A smaller Denny Hill looking west from the New Brunswick Hotel, May 7, 1928.

Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives

A smaller Denny Hill looking west from the New Brunswick Hotel, May... Photo-1719572.31845 - seattlepi.com

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This is what the view looked like from Denny Hill in 1903. This view of the city is looking south from the hill that was later leveled. The intersection in the immedate foreground is Third Avenue and Pine Street. less

This is what the view looked like from Denny Hill in 1903. This view of the city is looking south from the hill that was later leveled. The intersection in the immedate foreground is Third Avenue and Pine ... more

Photo: Seattlepi.com File/1903

This is what the view looked like from Denny Hill in 1903. This... Photo-1719571.31845 - seattlepi.com